Cartridge for film units

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for a plurality of photographic film units of the self-processing type wherein the film units each include an image-recording unit releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished photographic print and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge comprises a substantially rectangular container having an exposure aperture in one surface. The cartridge is provided with a trailing and a leading end, the leading end being provided with a film unit dispensing slot for the removal of an exposed image-recording unit from the cartridge. The lower portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends beyond the portion containing the dispensing slot and is arranged to accept and retain the leading member as it is separated from the image-recording unit.

United States Patent 1191 Harvey Jan. 1, 1974 CARTRIDGE FOR FILM UNITS Primary Examiner-Richard L. Moses [75] lnventor: Donald M. Harvey, Webster, NY. Attorney-Wuhan French et [73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, [57] ABSTRACT Rochester A cartridge for a plurality of photographic film units [22] Fired: July 5. 1972 of the self-processing type wherein the film units each 1 include an image-recording unit releasably coupled at [21] PP N05 268,933 the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished phos2 U.S. c1. 95/19, 95/13 tographic print and constitute Waste that must be 51 1m. (:1. G03!) 19/10 posed of. The cartridge comprises a Substantially rect- [58] Field of Search 95/19, 22, 13, 14, angular Container having an exposure aperture in one 95 3 20 2 R surface. The cartridge is provided with a trailing and a leading end, the leading end being provided with a 5 References C d film unit dispensing slot for the removal of an exposed UNn-ED STATES PATENTS image-recording unit from the cartridge. The lower 7 portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends beyond the portion containing the dispensing slot and is arranged to accept and retain the leading member as it is separated from the image-recording unit.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENTEUJAN Hm SHEU 1 [IF 2 CARTRIDGE FOR FILM UNITS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonly assigned copending US. Patent applications Ser. No. 268,932, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT; Ser. No. 268,940, entitled FILM HANDLING IMPROVEMENT; Ser. No. 268,931, entitled FILM FEEDING AND GATING; and Ser. No. 268,936, entitled TRANSLATABLE STRIPPING AND GUIDING MECHANISM; all filed concurrently herewith in my name; and commonly assigned copending US. Patent applications Ser. No. 268,947, entitled FILM CARTRIDGE filed in the name of Frederick F. Tone; Ser. No. 268,939, entitled IMPROVED FILM CARTRIDGE filed in the name of Chester W. Michatek; Ser. No. 268,975, and entitled FILM PACK filed in the name of Chester W. Michatek.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cartridges for photographic film units of the self-processing type, and more.

having thereon at least one layer of photosensitive material, and a second element adapted to be registered with the photosensitive element for processing. A viscous processing composition is supplied to the unit at one end and is spread toward the other end by passing the unit between juxtaposed pressure-applying members that distribute the composition in a layer of predetermined thickness between the two elements. The distributed composition then permeates the layers of the unit to effect development of the photosensitive layers and the construction of an image in a mordant layer, either in the photosensitive or second element, to provide a substantially permanent and visible photograph.

The present invention is directed particularly for use with film units generally referred to as being preregistered" or integral in which the photosensitive and process elements are permanently superposed or registe red prior to exposure and are maintained in super.- posed or registered relationship during and after processing. Such a unit includes photosensitive and second elements that are superposed prior to exposure and define a composite, permanently registered structure designed to remain substantially in the same physical form after processing. In presently known film units of this type, the second element is transparent, to permit exposure of the photosensitive materials from the top side of the unit, and the image or print-receiving layer is located either in the process element, or, preferably, in the photosensitive element, to provide a positive image that need not be stripped from the rest of the unit. Film units of this type are disclosed, for example, in commonly assigned Belgian Pat. No. 757,960.

The present invention has particular utility with preregistered and integral film units of the type disclosed in my US. application Ser. No. 268,932, entitled PHO- TOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT, filed on even date herewith, wherein the image-recording portion of the unit is coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished photographic print and constitute waste that can be disposed of.

Heretofore, cartridges for film units of the selfprocessing type have not been arranged to accept any of the waste materials generated during the processing of the film unit, or if they could, were substantially larger than would otherwise be necessary. If the cartridges do not accept the waste, it is necessary for the user to dispose of the waste elsewhere or, as is too often the case, the waste becomes litter. If the cartridges are arranged to accept the waste, they are generally substantially thicker than would otherwise be necessary, so that the waste portion may be stored in the rear of the cartridge behind the unused film units. This necessitates the construction of larger cameras to accept the larger cartridges and is otherwise less than satisfactory.

It will thus be appreciated that a cartridge arrangement that can accept and store any waste material from the processed film unit without requiring a significant increase in cartridge size will provide several advantages to the user since the cartridge and the camera can be smaller, and to the public generally since there will be less litter generated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a cartridge that can accept and store waste material without being significantly larger than a cartridge without this feature.

Thus, the present invention provides a cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of film units wherein the cartridge comprises first and second generally opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, and a pair of end walls. The first side wall has an exposure aperture therethrough and a film unit exit slot is disposed in a first portion of a first end wall. Means is provided to form a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent the first end wall and having an open surface opposite from the second side wall.

The present invention further provides a cartridge particularly arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent one end of the cartridge. The pressure members are arranged, as the exposed film unit is withdrawn from the cartridge, to spread a processing composition to render visible the latent image in the exposed film unit. The pressure members are generally disposed immediately adjacent a first portion of one end wall of the cartridge with the nip of the pressure members opposite the cartridge exit slot which is located in the first portion of the end wall adjacent and parallel to the side of the cartridge containing the exposure aperture. A second portion of the end wall, adjacent the side wall opposite the exposure aperture, extends outwardly from the first portion to form a cartridge extension that is disposed to one side of and extends beyond the pressure members.

More specifically, the present invention provides a cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units include an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge comprises first and second opposed side walls, a

pair of edge walls, and a pair of end walls forming a generally rectangular container. The first side wall has an exposure aperture therethrough and a film unit exit slot is disposed in a first portion of a first end wall. Means is provided forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the rectangular container between the end of the first portion of the first end wall and the second side wall. The cartridge extension has an open surface opposite the second side wall and is arranged to accept the separated elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit.

Still more particularly, the present invention provides a cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed preregistered integral self-processing film units wherein each of the film units include an image-recording portion releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the processed exposed image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge comprises first and second generally rectangular opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, and a pair of end walls. The first side wall has an exposure aperture therethrough and an elongated transverse film unit exit slot is disposed in a first portion of a first end wall. The exit slot is arranged adjacent and parallel to the first side wall and the first portion of the first end wall extends from the exit slot towards the second side wall a distance less than the distance between the exit slot and the second side wall. The second side wall has a first portion substantially coextensive with the first side wall and a second portion extending longitudinally of the cartridge outward from the first portion of the first end wall. A second portion of the first end wall is disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly from the first portion and extends from the end of the second portion of the second side wall towards the plane of the first side wall a distance less than the distance between the second side wall and the exit slot. The portions of the edge walls between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and the second side wall extending longitudinally of the cartridge to the second portion of the first end wall thereby forming a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent the space between the end of the first portion of the first end wall and the second side wall. The cartridge extension has an open surface opposite from the second portion of the second side wall and has a length less than the length of the leading member of the film unit. The cartridge extension is arranged to accept the separated leading member after removal from the processed exposed image-recording portion of the film unit.

The various features of novelty which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a single film unit which the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1 is adapted to contain;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the cartridge taken along-line 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of one end of a car.- tridge disposed in a camera.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a cartridge 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The cartridge is adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed preregistered integral self-processing film units 12, shown in plan in FIG. 2, wherein each of the film units include an imagerecording portion 14 releasably coupled at the leading end 16 to a leading member 18 which comprises elements, such as processing fluid container 20, that can be separated from the processed exposed imagerecording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of. For a more complete description of a film unit, reference is made to above noted U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,932 entitled PI-IOTOGRAPHIC, FILM UNIT. The cartridge is formed as a generally rectangular container and comprises first and second generally rectangular opposed side walls 22 and 24, a pair of edge walls 26 and 28, and a pair of end walls, 30 and 32. The first side wall has an exposure aperture 34 therethrough for exposing a film unit when the cartridge is in a camera. An elongated transverse film unit exit slot 36 is disposed in an upper first portion 30A of the first end wall. (The relative directions used herein are only for reference purposes and are directed to the cartridge as illustrated in FIG. 3). The exit slot is adjacent and parallel to the first side wall 22 containing the exposure aperture 34.

The first, upper, portion 30A of the first end wall extends from the exit slot towards the second side wall 24 a distance less than the distance between the exit slot and the second side wall. The second side wall 24 has a first portion 24A substantially coextensive with the first side wall 22 and a second portion 24B extending longitudinally outward from the first portion 30A of the first end wall. A second portion 308 of the first end wall is disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly from the first portion 30A and extends from the end of the second portion 243 of the second side wall towards the plane of the first side wall 22 a distance less than the distance between the second side wall and the exit slot 36. The edge walls 26 and 28 also extend outwardly from the first portion of the end wall 30A to the second portion 30B between the lower end of the first portion and the second side wall. Thus, the extended portions of the side walls, the second portion of the second side wall 24B and the second portion of the end wall 30B form a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent the end of the generally rectangular container portion. The cartridge extension has an open upper surface, opposite from the second portion of the second side wall 248. In the preferred embodiment, the cartridge extension has a length less than the length of the leading member 18 of the film unit and is arranged to accept the leading member after it is removed from the processed exposed image-recording portion 14 of the film unit 12.

Thus, the cartridge comprises a generally rectangular container portion with a film dispensing exit slot disposedin the leadingend thereof (determined with respect to the direction of movement of the film unit after exposure). The lower portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends outwardly from the leading end of the container portion to accept and retain the leading member after it is removed from the image-recording portion of the film unit.

The present cartridge is arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse the first end 30 of the cartridge. A portion of such a camera is illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes a pair of parallel rollers 40 and 42 whose axes are substantially parallel to the first end of the cartridge. A cartridge stop 44 may be provided which accurately positions the end of the cartridge on the camera with respect to the rollers. As shown, the nip between the rollers is substantially opposite the exit slot 36. The camera is also provided with guides 46 at each end of the rollers which guides divert the leading member 18 of the processed film unit into the cartridge extension which extends to one side of and beyond the lower pressure roller 42, whereby the separated leading members are retained and stored as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As disclosed in the above-identified copending applications, the exposed, processed image-recording portions of the film units are arranged to pass between the guides 46 and to exit from the camera after the leading members are separated therefrom. The camera may also include a feed member 48 that introduces the film units into the nip of the pressure rollers.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the present invention provides a cartridge that accepts separated waste from a processed film unit without requiring a substantial increase in cartridge size. Moreover, since the rollers in the camera can be positioned over a portion of the cartridge, the length of the camera can be significantly reduced. Ancillary to the above, the amount of packaging material required to encase the cartridge for sale is reduced, resulting in a significant saving in costs for high volume items such as this.

Moreover, the present cartridge arrangement provides a portion which extends to one side of and longitudinally beyond the location of the pressure applying members when the cartridge is located in a camera. This permits the use of a locating device in the camera which directly contacts the end of the cartridge without interference with the pressure applying members. The location of the cartridge extension with respect to the pressure applying members also permits the leading member, that is separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit, to drop directly into the extension through the open upper surface without requiring the insertion of the leading member longitudinally back into the front end of the cartridge.

The invention provides for collection of the waste materials in a generally flat or laid-out condition that is particularly conductive to compactness, especially when relatively stiff or resilient materials are involved, as often are found in pods and as are preferable in leading members of the type described. Still further, the location of the collecting chamber is particularly advantageous relative both to the rest of the cartridge and to an appropriate camera for receiving the cartridge. By way of example only, the leading members and exhausted pods are collected after the initiation of processing in a waste chamber or location that only partially overlaps or is onlypartially behind the unexposed film units remaining in the supply chamber or location,

and that overlapping part is vertically aligned behind the corresponding elements, e.g., the leading members and pods, of the unexposed units. Since the pods of the unexposed film units in the supply chamber are thicker, because they contain a processing fluid not present in the pods of the processed film units in the waste chamber, it will be seen that the overlapping portion of the waste chamber increases in size with the processing of each film unit at a rate which is faster than it is filled by the waste materials. Obviously, this reduces the likelihood of any jamming; at the same time, however, a central portion of the waste chamber (between walls 30A and 24B) provides a constant vertical dimension determined accurately at the time the cartridge is manufactured. This dimension ensures an appropriate pressure on the materials in the waste chamber that prevents their escape since the leading members and pods are pushed under this narrowest portion while they are still securely held in driving engagement between the camera pressure applying members and any increased frictional resistance at this narrowest portion is easily overcome by the driving forces. Similarly, and referring now to my US. application Ser. No. 268,932, entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT, and filed on even date herewith, hereby incorporated into the present application by reference, it will be seen'that the present invention facilitates the elimination of auxiliary or supplemental camera mechanism that otherwise might be necessary to move the leading members and pods beyond the nip between the pressure applying members to their final positions in the waste chamber of the film pack.

I claim:

1. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of film units, said cartridge comprising first and second generally opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, and first and second end walls, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, said first end wall comprising a first and a second portion, said first portion extending from said first side wall towards said second side wall, a film unit exit slot disposed in the first portion of said first end wall, and means forming a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent said first portion of said first end wall having an open surface opposite the inner surface of the second side wall.

2. The invention' according to claim 1 wherein each of said film units includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the imagerecording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge extension arranged to accept the elements separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first portion of said first end wall extends from said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the second portion of said first end wall is disposed at the outer end of said cartridge extension.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said second portion of said first end wall extends from said second side wall towards said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall.

6. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the filmunits includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, a pair of end walls, said walls forming a generally rectangular container, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a film unit exit slot disposed in a first portion of a first end wall, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, and means forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension having an open surface opposite the second sidewall and arranged to accept the separated elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said cartridge extension is formed by a second portion of said first end wall, portions of said edge walls, and a portion of said second side wall.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said second portion of said first end wall extends from the end of the second side wall towards said first side wall.

9. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse one end of the cartridge, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, a pair of end walls forming a generally rectangular container, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a film unit exit slot disposed in a first portion of said first end wall and arranged in alignment with the nip between the pressure applying members when the cartridge is disposed within a camera, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, and means forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension arranged to extend to one side of and beyond one of said pressure applying members and having an open surface opposite the second side wall facing said pressure applying member and arranged to accept the separated elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit.

10. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed preregistered integral self-processing film units wherein each of the film units incudes an imager'ecording portion releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the processed exposed imagerecording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge comprising a first and a second generally rectangular opposed side wall, a pair of edge walls, and a pair of end walls, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, an elongated transverse film unit exit slot disposed in a first portion of a first end wall, said exit slot being adjacent and parallel to the first side wall containing said exposure aperture, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, said second side wall having a first portion substantially coextensive with said first side wall and a second portion extending longitudinally outward from the first portion of said first end wall, a second portion of said first end wall disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly .from said first portion and extending from the end of the second portion of said second side wall towards the plane of said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said second side wall and said exit slot, the portions of said edge walls between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall extending longitudinally of the cartridge to said second portion of said first end wall thereby forming a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent the space between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension having an open surface opposite the second portion of said second side wall, said cartridge extension having a length less than the length of the leading member of said film unit and arranged to accept the separated leading member after removal from the processed exposed image-recording portion of the film unit. 

1. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of film units, said cartridge comprising first and second generally opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, and first and second end walls, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, said first end wall comprising a first and a second portion, said first portion extending from said first side wall towards said second side wall, a film unit exit slot disposed in the first portion of said first end wall, and means forming a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent said first portion of said first end wall having an open surface opposite the inner surface of the second side wall.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of said film units includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge extension arranged to accept the elements separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first portion of said first end wall extends from said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the second portion of said first end wall is disposed at the outer end of said cartridge extension.
 5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said second portion of said first end wall extends from said second side wall towards said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall.
 6. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, a pair of end walls, said walls forming a generally rectangular container, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a film unit exit slot disposed in a first portion of a first end wall, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, and means forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension having an open surface opposite the second side wall and arranged to accept the separated elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit.
 7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said cartridge extension is formed by a second portion of said first end wall, portions of said edge walls, and a portion of said second side wall.
 8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said second portion of said first end wall extends from the end of the second side wall towards said first side wall.
 9. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse one end of the cartridge, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, a pair of end walls forming a generally rectangular container, said first side wAll having an exposure aperture therethrough, a film unit exit slot disposed in a first portion of said first end wall and arranged in alignment with the nip between the pressure applying members when the cartridge is disposed within a camera, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, and means forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension arranged to extend to one side of and beyond one of said pressure applying members and having an open surface opposite the second side wall facing said pressure applying member and arranged to accept the separated elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit.
 10. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed preregistered integral self-processing film units wherein each of the film units incudes an image-recording portion releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the processed exposed image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge comprising a first and a second generally rectangular opposed side wall, a pair of edge walls, and a pair of end walls, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, an elongated transverse film unit exit slot disposed in a first portion of a first end wall, said exit slot being adjacent and parallel to the first side wall containing said exposure aperture, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, said second side wall having a first portion substantially coextensive with said first side wall and a second portion extending longitudinally outward from the first portion of said first end wall, a second portion of said first end wall disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly from said first portion and extending from the end of the second portion of said second side wall towards the plane of said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said second side wall and said exit slot, the portions of said edge walls between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall extending longitudinally of the cartridge to said second portion of said first end wall thereby forming a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent the space between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension having an open surface opposite the second portion of said second side wall, said cartridge extension having a length less than the length of the leading member of said film unit and arranged to accept the separated leading member after removal from the processed exposed image-recording portion of the film unit. 